Fall Spa Specials

Did you know that the vegetable most emblematic of fall is also one of the best kept secrets for skin care?

Pumpkin makes us think of harvest, of holidays, of family and friends gathered around the dinner table. But as it turns out, pumpkin should also make you think of healthy, radiant and glowing summer-worthy skin throughout the dry, chilly autumn season. That’s right – pumpkin is no longer just for pie; order up this decadent spice during your next trip to the spa.

But pumpkin isn’t the only scent stealing the show this season. San Diego spas are embracing all of the flavors of fall with new themed treatments. Our top picks include the Spiced Pumpkin Chai package at The Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn, the Pumpkin Pie Pedicure at The Catamaran Spa, the Vanilla, Cardamom and Avocado Massage at The Spa at La Costa, and the Gentle Fig Facial at the freshly renovated Spa at Rancho Valencia.

Ease into autumn with new fall specials at San Diego spas.

Re-discover La Costa with fall-inspired spa treatments. The luxurious resort spa will evoke the flavors of fall with four new services. The Vanilla, Cardamom and Avocado Massage will hydrate and nourish the skin while sweetening the senses. Avocado is rich in the ‘youth mineral’ potassium, as well as vitamins, proteins and beta-carotene. 50 minutes, $160. More fall treatments include the Pomegranate Spice Antioxidant Facial, Coconut Milk and Honey Detox Treatment and Warm Buttery Toes Pedicure. lacosta.com

Rancho Bernardo Inn Golf Resort & Spa masters the art of made fresh daily seasonal spa packages. New for fall is Spiced Pumpkin Chai, a delicious multilayered treatment that is sure to settle your soul before the big holiday rush. The package includes a chai body scrub, pumpkin body wrap with a cinnamon scalp treatment, and a vanilla massage, served with a chai tea latte in the spa gardens. 80 minutes, $175. More fall offerings include the Hint of Spice Facial and Spiced Cream Nail Package. ranchobernardoinn.com

Ease into the fall season with the Mission Bay breeze at your back. The Catamaran Spa is offering an array of autumn specials every month ‘til the holiday takeover. During September, try the Pumpkin Harvest Facial, which uses a combination of natural vegetables and fruit enzymes to exfoliate and nourish the skin with age-defying vitamin A and anti-oxidants. 50 minutes, $100. More fall specials available through October include the Pumpkin Pie Pedicure, Ginger Root Detox and Pumpkin Spice Body Scrub. catamaranspa.com

The Palomar Hotel’s signature Sè Spa is channeling the essence of fall with a seasonal spa menu, available beginning October 31. A featured treatment is the Pumpkin Refresher Facial, which will help replenish dry summer skin with the natural benefits of pumpkin extracts. You will notice smoother and brighter skin as a result of the antioxidants from Vitamin A and Beta Carotene. 50 minutes, $75. Another seasonal body treatment is the Chianti & Grape Seed Crush. hotelpalomar-sandiego.com

Fresh off a property-wide remodel, Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa will offer a new menu of spa services this fall. Our top pick to ease you through the season is the Gentle Fig Facial, which works with organic, healing botanicals from Morocco, such as Organic Nopal Leaf, Argan Seed Oil, Moroccan Chamomile and unfermented red tea. The main ingredient, Organic Desert Fig Oil, is rich in Omega 6 essential fatty acids and will moisturize your dry summer skin back to life. 75 minutes, $175. Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa will celebrate a grand re-opening in October. ranchovalencia.com

Resist the fall into autumn and follow the spirit of endless summer to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The Spa at Esperanza is a luxury full-service resort spa with Baja-inspired treatments. This fall, escape to Cabo and treat yourself to a Sun Baked Stone Massage & Cucumber Lime Facial. The treatment begins with warmed river stones massaged on the body, followed by a cucumber and lime facial designed to comfort and re-hydrate sun-exposed skin. esperanzaresort.com